Crisis (n) 1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events is determined; turning point.   2. the point at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed  3. the turning point in the course of a serious disease Crisis Intervention (n) 1. that aspect of the crisis management process which focuses on resolution of the immediate problem through the use of personal, social, environmental, and sometimes material resources. Crisis is relative to an individual's perspective

Suicide

Myths about Suicide

• Most suicides occur with little or no warning.

• You shouldn't talk about suicide with someone who may be at risk because you could give them the idea.

• People who talk about suicide don't actually do it.

• Nonfatal acts are only attention-getting behaviors.

• A suicidal person clearly wants to die.

• Once people attempt suicide, they will never do it again.

• If a person has been depressed and suddenly seems to feel better, the danger of suicide is gone.

• Some people are easily identifiable as eventual suicides.

• Most suicides are caused by one particular traumatic event.

Suicidal Erosion

Suicidal erosion is a descriptive term for the process in which a series of life events deteriorate the existing coping skills of an individual.  The end result of this process is a situation in which the individual comes to believe that there is no way out of the pain caused by living other than to die.

It is important to note that humans are not born with coping skills.  Coping skills are learned fro other people or are developed through trial and error.  If a person lives in an environment where very few healthy coping skills are demonstrated by others, it will be much more difficult to develop positive coping skills.

Behavioral Clues

Self-Destructive Behavior ~ Increase/Decrease in Sleep ~ Previous Attempts ~ Threats or Statements ~ Final Arrangements ~ Depression ~ Perfectionism ~ Increase/Decrease in Appetite ~ Withdrawal ~ Increase in Alcohol or other Drug Use ~ Hostility ~ Feeling loss of control in life ~ Haplessness/Helplessness/Hopelessness ~ Unwillingness to Seek Help or Explore Options ~ Sudden unexplained changes in mood or behavior

Situational Clues

Recent Release from Hospital ~ Separation or Divorce ~ Recent Illness (Physical or Mental) ~ Incarceration ~ Overwhelmed by Recent Life Changes ~ Firearm in the home ~ Family History of Suicide ~ Unresolved Grief ~ Family History of Mental or Substance Abuse Disorder ~ Exposure to Violence, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse ~ Exposure to suicidal behavior of others

Verbal Clues

I just can't take anymore. ~ I can't go on. ~ I just want the pain to end. ~ Life is too hard. ~ They'll be better off without me. ~ It will all be over soon. ~ I just wish I could go to sleep.

Crisis Statistics >>

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